Help - Both Headlights Not Working! Can't see! argh

[techfreak]

HI all,

all of a sudden both headlights stopped working and I'm getting right dipped headlight and left dipped headlight error on the dash and vcds is saying:

Address 09: Cent. Elect. Labels: 4F0-910-279.lbl
Part No SW: 4F0 910 279 L HW: 4F0 907 279 B
Component: ILM Fahrer H18 0250
Revision: 00000000 Serial number: 4F0907279
Coding: 0010101
Shop #: WSC 02335 785 00200
VCID: 32610411AD34409


Subsystem 1 - Part No: 4F2 910 113 Labels: 1KX-955-119.CLB
Component: Wischer AudiC6 H04 0150
Coding: 00062736
Shop #: WSC 02335


Subsystem 2 - Part No: 4E0 910 557 Labels: 8K0-955-559.CLB
Component: REGENLICHTSENSORH10 0040
Coding: 00141886
Shop #: WSC 02335


2 Faults Found:
00978 - Lamp for Low Beam; Left (M29)
010 - Open or Short to Plus
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01101010
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 239
Mileage: 205756 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2015.02.21
Time: 19:27:00


00979 - Lamp for Low Beam; Right (M31)
010 - Open or Short to Plus
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01101010
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 239
Mileage: 205756 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2015.02.21
Time: 19:27:00

Any Ideas?

I'm hoping it's not headlight control module?

Any tests I can try or would recoding help?

[gupsterg]

I'd check fuses & connectors on headlight, if it was headlight control module you'd have an error on that in VCDS like "fault in control module" , "No comm." , etc IMO.

[M1tchy]

Fuses ok?


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[techfreak]

Strange thing with fuses - I have one mini 5a on passenger and one mini 5a on drivers side ...

Passenger side is fine.

Drivers side is missing! How have my lights been working with no fuse in?

Anyway plugged one in and still nothing.

Glad it's not control module.

Pulled the bonnet up and it seems impossible to get to the connectors any easy way?

Also, to check the bulbs or change them please tell me I don't have to take the bumper off?

[gupsterg]

To improve access, drivers side remove the air filter duct, passenger side undue the PAS reservoir from bracket and move it a side.

Be careful you don't drop the bolt/nut/spacer on the PAS bracket.

[DavidG1]

Strange thing with fuses - I have one mini 5a on passenger and one mini 5a on drivers side ...

Passenger side is fine.

Drivers side is missing! How have my lights been working with no fuse in?

Anyway plugged one in and still nothing.

Glad it's not control module.

Pulled the bonnet up and it seems impossible to get to the connectors any easy way?

Also, to check the bulbs or change them please tell me I don't have to take the bumper off?

TBH, I have found that whilst the Drivers side is "accessible" after pulling the Airfilter etc, with my car (Same 3.0TDI engine), the recommended approach is to loosen off the nut holding the PAS reservoir to gain access. Frankly it was a nightmare: firstly the Torx bolt was all but inaccessible because of a hose, plus once loosened you cannot then get the reservoir out of the way easily (you have to take the bolt right out) and then the clamp is still in the way.
Anyway, what I am trying to say is........I think it is easier by far to remove the front bumper and then unbolt the headlamp units and pull them out forwards - particularly if you have axle stands (making easier clearance for unbolting the undertray, and allowing you to use steering lock to increase accessibility to the inner wheel arch lining blots and the outer bumper bolts)
Wheels and motors has a nice You Tube video on it, albeit the rather easier 2.0Tdi version. - so the hard way: Wheels And Motors - Headlight bulbs (http://www.wheelsandmotors.com/show_solution.php?id=6) and then my preferred option....Wheels And Motors - Remove front bumper cover and headlights (clusters) (http://www.wheelsandmotors.com/show_solution.php?id=27)

[Arragonis]

You can get to the passenger (left side of the car) side headlight by just loosening the PAS reservoir bolt and moving it upwards. Get a cane or a pencil with blutak and a mirror and you can see it all.

At this point to actually do anything you need either thin arms and wrists, or you need to find a female (assuming you are male) and breed with her to produce offspring. When they are between 8 and 12 you can train them to use their thin and supple arms to reach inside and do whatever is needed.

It takes a while but you can work out what goes where and how to access it.

It took me 10 years to change a sidelight bulb on the left... ;)

[techfreak]

Thanks all. Will have to get in to the garage to take a look..

Will post update once I know what the problem is.

[techfreak]

Delayed update - it turns out it was both bulbs!

I'd had those super bright ones from halfords fitted and turns out that they don't last too long as they're brighter than normal and due to usage via auto lights.

They were kind enough to change both bulbs and managed to do the passengers with ease. The drivers side was a little more tricky but by moving the air filter box out the way just enough he managed to get his hand in and do it.

Seeing this I could probably do it myself next time.

[DavidG1]

Lucky you - I also purchased the Halfords super bright ones, and was delighted when they said they had a BOGOF offer on plus would fit them! I said "Yes" of course, knowing what a pain it was, they came out to the car, looked at it for a while, disappeared back inside and then came out to tell me that the A6 C6 is NOT one of the vehicles they offer headlight fitting services on!
I'd agree that it is absolutely something one can do oneself, just a bit of a pain. Surprised that they found the drivers side more tricky than passenger though - personally I found it to be the other way round!

Thanks for the warning on the bulbs though - will take it off Auto lights!

[techfreak]

The first time I bought these bulbs from them, they did the same thing they did to you.

They told me they do Audi C6 but not the 3.0 v6 as they're not "allowed" to start taking other parts apart etc.

But this time I managed to convince them it's not too difficult - and it probably helped going towards the end of the day. Didn't get a bogof or free fitting but can't complain - least I'm driving around in the dark!

[Malfuss]

I changed my bulbs when I first picked the car up as the headlights were shockingly dim. I went for the Osram Nightbreakers and thought I'd better update the sidelights at the same time. Managed to sort the drivers side out without much problem, but the passengers side still has a standard yellow bulb in it as I just couldn't get my hand in there to change it. The worst bit is the lights are still dim despite being adjusted correctly at the local MOT place. Do the headlights have auto levelling as they don't project very far along the road at all?

[DavidG1]

Hi Malfuss - I've not done it myself but on one of the videos I posted earlier in the thread you can see how it is done: there are three bolts which attach the headlamp units to the "levellers" (which can be adjusted to a certain extent from the dial inside the car - if you look in the manual you will see the settings for e.g. driver and luggage, fully loaded etc). My understanding is that you can manually adjust the threads where the bolts go into to change the range - but you will need to get it accurate. Think I remember someone on this forum posting a DIY headlamp levelling "kit" which might work for you - else just take it to an MoT place

[Malfuss]

Thanks David, I'll have a look into the video because at night time I can barely see when another car is driving towards me.

[DavidG1]

Just to note: the video doesn't cover the adjustment using the 3 thumbscrews: just where they are! Best of luck!